The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-01

specialties made here are sold at a great distance
even in New York and as far west as the
Rockies.
Mr. Fugate, of Hildebrand & Fugate. hard
ware: The four hardware houses have sold
about million dollars worth of goods during
this year. Business has been 20 per cent bet
ter than in 1885, SO far as volume is concerned;
1887 will be better, because prices advancing,
which will be favorable to both jobbers and
dealers. The general condition Of merchants
throughout the country is better. There were
fewer failures in 1885, and little has been lost in
bad debts. compared with previous years.
Mr.. McCrea, of Fahnley 81 McCrea, millinery
goods: There are now three houses dealing in
millinery goods wholesale, in this city, but the
retirement of Wocher, Richie & Hanford, with
the close of the year, will leave but two-Grifith
Brothers and this one. The wholesale millinery
trade of this city in 1886 amounted to about
$50 000 We-Grifith Brothers as we'll as our
selves-sell as far south as Tennessee and as far
west as Iowa and Kansas We have a large
number of customers In Louisville and Nash
vile. where we compete directly with New York
houses. Our travellers 60 to all the towns in the
Blue Grass region and through central Tennes-
| see Business has increased about 10 per cent.
| over 1885,
| Mr.. Cooper. OF Hendricks & Cooper. boots and
shoes: There Is probably increase in the
wholesale shoe trade of this city of 10 per cent.
| over 1885. / think the three houses have sold
about 81, 100000 worth in 1886 Prices have re-
! NAMED about the same for three years or more.
The outlook for the coming season is considered
/ very fattering.
| W. j. Holiday hardware: In heavy hard
ware there has been an increase in volume Of
business OF % per cent. over the previous year,
and the sales will probably aggregate half mill
| ion dollars. Collections have been better and
| there have been fewer losses; altogether very
| satisfactory years business Prices now show
| an upward tendency
1 Hendrickson, LETTER & Co., hats and CAPS: The
Wholesale hat trade of Indianapolis has practi-
| cally all been made within six years. Henley g.
| Price and this house have probably sold in the
| aggregate about three hundred thousand dollars
| worth in 1886 This is an increase of 20 per
cent. over the previous year. Our territory is
| increasing. Goods are sold in Ohio. Indiana and
Illinois, and business is overlapping on the
edges into other States There are altogether
| twelve hat statesmen from these two houses on
| the road, which is a great many, as those who
understand the business will admit.
Taylor & Smith, leather: Half million dol
lars is about the business done in 1886 by the
| four leather houses of this city, an increase of
10 per cent. over 1885,
George A Woodford, liquors: The wholesale
liquor trade will amount to one million dollars
this year by the seven liquor houses of this city
James r. Ross & Co.. Mulaney & Hayes George
Pfau. H. Rlckhoff, Schwabacher & Selig, Keep
per & Waterman and George A. Woodford &
Co. OF course, the sales of alcohol and liquors
sold by the wholesale drug houses will greatly
| increase this amount We have had a very sue
cessful trade-much better than that of 1856
showing an increase of at least 10 per cent
Sales are made, however, on closer margins thar
ever before, but our class of customers is better
and collections are much better, the losses being
fewer.
: John w. Murphy, of Murphy, Hibben & Co..
) dry goods: Trade in SO has been decidedly bet
ter than in 85. Collections have been very good
The class of goods has been about the same
while the buyers have bought freely. I thinl
the whole street has done exceptionally well
We do not know until we get through invoicin.
exactly whether we have made any money o
not, but we feel very comfortable under the i'm
hot have II pIrI 49, oh -
, in the country are in good condition; carrying
, fair stocks of goods-not overstocked. The con
dltion of trade was never healthier than it i
2 now.
, There has been great improvement in our bus
ness over '85-between Is and 20 per cent in
: crease in trade Collections are good and with
;. | out material losses.
do not know that our business has been an
larger. but it has been satisfactory. This stree
a is the keynote of Indianapolis There is n
Q doubt about its trade being good and admirabl
handled, because the owners of the houses a
tend to business themselves.
r Nj. OCcanor, of M. CConnor & Co., grocer
IL The business of SO is fully satisfactory a
4 that of the previous year. We are selling MOI
goods, but the aggregate amount received wi
q not probably be much larger. Collections hay
!, been very good for the year; never have we ha
y them better.
:. Kipp Bros, toys: There has been large i,
| crease ge06r
n activity. Our travellers now cover thrice
n States and we have increased their humble
We have, In volume an increase of fully so pt
. cent in our business over 1885,
3, Layman, Carey s. Co., hardware: Our bus
n ness has been better in the year now closr
!. than in 1o85-at least 20 per cent. Collection
have been good, losses few; as healthy q state
3 business as any one need expect Our territor
e is constantly on enlarsins We think the 0utloe
l. 8. Gordon, of Gordon. Kurtz g. Co., sa
D diery hardware: Eighty-six has been q GOO
8. year on this street, and, with the rest of II
N folks, I'm counting on '87 to be the best year v
4 ever had. There has been an increase of
~ least 10 per cent. In our trade. If the people
ts this city would talk as they SHOULDN'T II
,e coming anyhow-'87 will be boom for India
At apos. Everything is ripe for It, Iron man
facturers are now refusing future contracts, ar
'e a large advance is looked for. That Of cours
means. improvement in business everywher
E. There is no better pulse than the iron marke
"a Iron is the magnet that draws everything alor
~ with it.
a Henry Severn of SEVERN, Ostermeyer & Co
= wholesale grocers: Business has been som
a what better with us than in '85. Collection
IT have been better, and there is general in
A. provemeDt in every way; country merchants q
"a getting in better shape, and pay up mo-
ar promptly. All say they never had as good
Christmas trade since they have been in bus
G. | ness.
x Mr.. Mckee, of Mckee & Branham boots al
" shoes There has been an increase in trade, b1
"a the most satisfactory item is the substanti
A. basis which business now seems to be place
~ The trade in indianapolis il in a mere substa
T tial condition than at any time for twenty year
Ia Wn Terrell, crates and manteis: There b,
1T been an increase in the sale Of better class
~ goods. My sales are 25 per cent larger than
i. '85. Our trade is extending These goods 60
10 Texas Alabama and all through the South, Al
Il West as far as Utah. We sold six large orde
last month in Texas alone
Coburn & Jones. Wholesale lumber: We ha
20 had an increase of per cent. Collections we
"a better than in 1885. Business which heretofo
AZ has usually shut down has kept right up to t
ar present zine, and we are now pushed to me
10 our orders.